Tag Archive: trail riders

Caught up with the Southwestern Trail Riders at Rosharon TX on their way to Houston for the rodeo parade.

Established in 1973. Mainly African American Women Trail Riders. A 102-mile ride from Angleton, Texas to Houston. Like many of the groups that converge in Houston for the festival, they pick up small groups and individual riders along the route to form those very impressive caravans by the time of the parade.

“Black Cowboys”, a concept I was vaguely aware of, due to occasional sightings of them tending their horses north of Houston on 59N by the airport. It is a way of life, a very distinct culture.

While the Houston Rodeo Trail Ride started mainly to promote the festival on 1952, this annual tradition has continued as a tribute the the culture and a way of life that is still vibrant despite the onward of time.

And yes, I finally got to ride on a horse. One check off the bucket list.

It is rodeo season in Houston, TX. A month long festival that features livestock show, competitions and musical acts in front of audiences that rivals performing at the halftime shows in stadiums. The Houston rodeo, was in fact, held in the Astrodome before moving next door to the state of the art football stadium.

One of the most interesting aspects of the rodeo is not the festivities held there. It is the annual gathering of trail riders from all over Texas. Some groups will ride out from 3 weeks away to be in town for the parade before riding back home. Along the way, they would pick up smaller groups, which is how thousands of riders and horses appear downtown during the parade.

It is a lifestyle that is still being practiced, especially among “Black Cowboys”, and has no signs of going away due to modernization.

We caught up with the trail riders who had been camping at Memorial Park. They are dressed and on their way downtown Houston to the Parade. This annual trek along the Parkway among townhouses is quite impressive, especially while the 5K run is also happening. The colors are surprisingly vibrant.